Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Viet Nam News, September 29, 2003

NEW YORK — Strengthening international peace and security, as well as enhancing development, remain the world’s primary tasks, Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien said at the United Nations headquarters in New York last Friday.

"Only in an environment of peace and stability can nations concentrate their energy on meeting the challenges of development and poverty eradication," he said in a speech at the General Debate of the 58th session of the UN General Assembly.

Healthy and fair international relations can only be built on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, Nien said, especially those of respect for national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of states.

"Development co-operation, international economic and trade relations can only be built on an equal footing and for mutual benefit, and on favourable assistance to the developing countries. However, there remain certain self-interested tendencies contrary to this principle.

"Protectionist measures have been imposed to prevent developing countries’ products from entering developed countries’ markets. This runs counter not only to World Trade Organisation agreements, but also to normal trade practices.

"A typical case has been the recent unfair lawsuit against the sale of Viet Nam’s catfish on the US market. The same story occurs with the cotton-grower in Burkina Faso and the indigenous cultivator of medicinal herbs in Brazil.

"It serves as a further lesson that developing countries will always be the most disadvantaged in the current international trade, as recently observed by the UN Secretary General himself. By the same token, the failure to reach an agreement at the Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancun is very regrettable.

"Efforts must therefore be redoubled to restructure the world trade and financial system to be more democratic and open, where developing countries could have a better chance.

"Multilateralism is crucial for the solution of the global issues. The United Nations, as the universal organisation, continues to play an important role in the fields of peace, development and in building healthy international relations. To meet the confidence and expectations of nations, it must do so more effectively and practically.

"This will require a stronger and more democratised United Nations and Security Council, which ensures better representation of developing countries and those able to make positive contributions to our common objectives. I wish to reaffirm Viet Nam’s support for Japan, Germany, India and other capable members from various continents to be among the future permanent members of the reformed Security Council.

"Following the events of September 11, 2001, the world has made great efforts to combat terrorism. The message is very clear: terrorism must be condemned, and eliminated from human civilisation. As this common fight could be long and arduous, we need to co-operate on the basis of the principles of the UN Charter, along with an endeavour to solve the problems of poverty, injustice, oppression and others which give rise to terrorism.

"Viet Nam supports international efforts for disarmament and for the peaceful resolution of conflicts on the basis of respect for sovereignty and the legitimate interests of the parties concerned. We call for an end to the embargoes and sanctions imposed against other countries, especially the unilateral embargo against Cuba that has for many decades caused untold sufferings for its people.

"Peace, security and reconstruction are now the most urgent tasks in Iraq. Viet Nam reaffirms its support for Iraq’s independence and sovereignty. We wish that stability will soon be restored and a government of the Iraqi people’s choice be established so as to enable them to focus on their national reconstruction and development in line with self-determination.

"The United Nations should continue its worthy, active role in resolving the Iraqi issue and in reconstructing the country. In this regard, Viet Nam has decided to contribute humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people.

"Viet Nam reaffirms its consistent support for the just cause and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. We call upon the parties concerned to exert constraint, persevere in negotiations and move faster along the road to a just and durable peace in the Middle East that takes due account of the legitimate interests of the parties concerned. Any unilateral acts can only worsen the already volatile situation in the region.

"Viet Nam supports the peaceful efforts towards denuclearization on the Korean peninsula. We wish that the negotiations initiated by the 6-party talks in Beijing last August will lead to a satisfactory conclusion, for the sake of peace, stability and development on the peninsula, in Asia and the world in general."

Moving to regional issues, Minister Nien said:

"In Southeast Asia, in the face of complex and rapid developments and challenges in the international landscape, ASEAN has come up with new initiatives and concrete steps to strengthen its solidarity, resilience and equitable development while further strengthening its relations with friends and partners abroad.

"At the forthcoming ASEAN Summit to be held in Bali, Indonesia, early next month, ASEAN will expand its efforts to realise the ASEAN Vision 2020, the Ha Noi Plan of Action and the Ha Noi Declaration on Narrowing the Development Gap in ASEAN.

"As an outward-looking association, ASEAN continues to attach great importance to developing its relations with other countries. China, Russia and India will accede to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, thus making the treaty the official code of conduct for inter-state relations. Having adopted the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, ASEAN and China are embarking on seeking concrete ways to implement the agreement, thus contributing to confidence and co-operation in that important part of the world.

"In the economic field, ASEAN has also been discussing with dialogue partners, such as the US, EU, Russia and India to name just a few, on closer economic partnership, including possible free-trade agreements.

"VN consistently pursues the foreign policy of ‘national independence, self-reliance, openness, diversification and multi-lateralisation of international relations, and being a friend and reliable partner in the international community’. "Along this line, Viet Nam has increasingly enhanced friendly and co-operative relations with other countries as well as with regional and international organisations. At present, we are actively preparing for Viet Nam to join the WTO as soon as possible.

"With annual economic growth of around 7 per cent, with its favourable and secured investment environment, hospitable people, beautiful landscapes and other rewarding discoveries, Viet Nam continues to be a most attractive country for investors and tourists. Later this year we will host the Southeast Asian Games, the biggest sports event in the region. The next will be the ASEM Summit in 2004 and the APEC Summit in 2006. We are confident that we will live up to the expectations."

The minister concluded his speech by saying:

"Today’s challenges, old and new, are becoming increasingly global. They require measures of a more global and multilateral nature. The United Nations therefore plays an important role in co-ordinating international efforts to effectively respond to the challenges, and to work for peace and development. In this regard, the principles of the UN Charter must be upheld, and their actual observance be ensured.

"For its part, Viet Nam as a responsible member state and reliable partner will continue to contribute actively to that common endeavour." — VNS